Residents urged to dispose of expired drugs

Friday

Oct 25, 2013 at 12:01 AMOct 25, 2013 at 12:29 AM

Four Tuscaloosa-area sites will serve as drop-off locations for Prescription Drug Take-Back Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.The nationwide event, organized locally by the West Alabama Narcotics Task Force and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, allows the public to get rid of potentially dangerous expired or unused prescription drugs. The event is free, anonymous and no questions will be asked.

By Ken RobertsCity Editor | The Tuscaloosa News

Four Tuscaloosa-area sites will serve as drop-off locations for Prescription Drug Take-Back Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.The nationwide event, organized locally by the West Alabama Narcotics Task Force and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, allows the public to get rid of potentially dangerous expired or unused prescription drugs. The event is free, anonymous and no questions will be asked.Bring medications to:n Food World, 641 Bear Creek Road, off Alabama Highway 69 S.n Kmart, 635 Skyland Blvd.n Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue Logistics Training Center, 2015 McFarland Blvd.n CVS Pharmacy, 1910 McFarland Blvd., in Northport.Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange said in a news release that the program has been very successful. “We have been heartened by the positive response of agencies and citizens throughout Alabama who have responded with their support and participation. This is an important and basic step to fight drug abuse and drug-related crimes, by assisting in the removal of potentially dangerous controlled substances from our homes.“Many of us have outdated prescriptions that are too easily accessible to children and others,” he said. “These drugs can also be the target of home invasions and burglaries. On (Saturday), we are asking the people of Alabama to protect their homes and communities by locating medicines that are out of date or no longer needed, and bringing them in for safe and proper disposal.”The program has grown sharply since the first Take-Back event in Alabama in September 2010. In April, more than 60 agencies in Alabama collected nearly 6,000 pounds of drugs in one day. In all, Take-Back events have accounted for more than 19,000 pounds of prescription drugs collected in Alabama. Nationwide, the program has collected more than 1,400 tons of pills.